December 20, 2017

White chocolate eggnog fudge

Sliced white chocolate eggnog fudge.

Sweet and decadent white chocolate eggnog fudge is a rich and delicious treat to add to your holiday parties or give as a gift to the eggnog lovers in your life. 

November 30, 2017

Turkey, sweet potato, & quinoa chili


Ground turkey, sweet potatoes, peppers, corn, beans, and quinoa all come together in this super hearty and healthy dish! This 'chili' is something I threw together once to use up some odds and ends of produce and it has turned into an almost weekly staple meal in our home now. It's full of so many good-for-you ingredients and is very hearty and flavorful. What I also love is that my 16 month old twins will eat it. Their least favorite part is probably the turkey, but they love sweet potatoes, corn, and beans, so they will usually eat everything else in it -- especially if I give them a bit of cheese or a dollop of sour cream. I swear I could put sour cream on pretty much anything and my son would gobble it up!

Another thing about this chili is that it is flexible. These are the ingredients and flavors I most commonly use, but you can switch them up with delicious results. For example -- use chicken or ground beef or extra beans instead of turkey; sub pinto beans for the black beans; green onions instead of red onions; poblano peppers instead of bell, butternut squash instead of sweet potato; vegetable broth or water in place of the chicken stock; add jalapeno or cayenne pepper for a kick (I would do this for just my husband and I, but not the toddlers)... This recipe will make about 6 servings. I like to serve it with grated cheddar or jack cheese, sour cream, cilantro, and even some corn chips if you have them.


November 28, 2017

Cranberry custard pie

Slice of cranberry custard pie on a plate next to the finished pie. 
 
Tart cranberries are nestled in a sweet custard filling for a delicious and different pie for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or anytime during cranberry season.

November 14, 2017

Cranberry apple crisp

Bowl of cranberry apple crisp.

Traditional apple crisp is enhanced by the addition of tart little cranberries in this dessert. 

November 7, 2017

Slow cooker ranch chicken & rice bowls

Serving bowl of slow cooker chicken and rice bowls.

The slow cooker is my food best friend lately. I've been using it several times a week. 

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It does, of course, require menu planning so that I know what to thaw, put in the slow cooker in the morning, and what ingredients I need to have on hand. But as a frugal mom of toddler twins, it's essential for me to plan ahead so that our meals go as smoothly as possible and I resist the temptation to order take out. 

I also like versatile dishes where I can use up some things in the fridge and pantry to create a delicious meal like this ranch chicken. It's versatile because you can add or remove vegetables based on what you have. I use chicken, corn, peppers, and onions - you can use any/all of these and/or others like black beans, pinto beans, jalapeno, green onions, etc. 

I topped mine with cilantro, cheddar, salsa, and sour cream, but other options are avocado, shredded lettuce, chopped tomato, pickled jalapenos, etc. It's also nice served with a side of corn chips (or sprinkle crumbs from the bottom of the bag on top for a little crunch). 

You can also wrap it up in a burrito shell! Easy family friendly meals like this are what work in our life right now. This recipe will serve about four people, but can easily vary (stretch it with beans or make more rice).

Slow cooker ranch chicken in the crockpot cooking.

October 30, 2017

Jack O' Lantern cheese quesadillas


Are you looking for a fun, simple, and kid-friendly Halloween meal? Look no further than these cheese-filled quesadillas! 

October 20, 2017

Hot chocolate pancakes

Stack of hot chocolate pancakes topped with mini marshmallows.

Chocolate buttermilk pancakes topped with mini marshmallows are a delicious and fun breakfast filled with the flavors of hot chocolate. 

October 18, 2017

Sweet potato brownies

Plate of baked sweet potato brownies.

Disclosure: Imperial Sugar is a gold sponsor of #Choctoberfest and provided me with sugar. All opinions expressed are my own.

Guys, can you believe all the amazing chocolate recipes there are for #Choctoberfest already?! I hope you are all following along this week with our hashtag on all your favorite social media platforms. I'm excited to share my next recipe with you today -- Sweet Potato Brownies! Pumpkins are amazing and all, but sweet potatoes deserve fall love, too. They can be used in a lot of baked goods which may normally call for pumpkin. But, the humble sweet potato is often overlooked (except for its amazing pie). So, let's change that by using it in more delicious treats like these brownies. These brownies have a sweet potato topping gently swirled into the top of the brownies as well as a bit of sweet potato in the brownie batter itself. They are super moist, sweet with a touch of warm spices, and chocolaty, too. Plus their colors make them fun for Halloween party treats! Thanks to Imperial Sugar for inspiring these brownies which will certainly become a fall favorite for our family. In case you missed my Instagram post when I received my sugar, my little goblins were excited to help me out in the kitchen and to be taste testers for these yummy brownies!

Plate with stacked sweet potato brownies.

October 17, 2017

Spooky double chocolate eyeball cookies

Disclosure: I received a complimentary container of Gourmet Baking Cocoa from Rodelle, a #Chocotoberfest sponsor. I was not required to make a recipe or post a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Plate of spooky double chocolate eyeball cookies.

Deeply chocolaty cookies filled with chocolate chips and topped with spooky eyeball candies make for a fun Halloween time cookie. These are perfect to bring to a Halloween party or make for a Halloween movie night.

October 3, 2017

Slow cooker eggplant "baked" ziti

Finished photo of a serving of eggplant baked ziti topped with fresh basil.

Pasta cooked with eggplant and tomato sauce and topped with gooey mozzarella cheese all comes together in your slow cooker! This is a perfect summertime meal that won't heat up your kitchen and to use seasonal eggplant.

September 20, 2017

Honey cheddar beer bread w/ honey butter

Honey cheddar beer bread with slices being spread with honey butter.

This lightly honey-sweetened and cheesy beer bread is easy and a delicious side dish to chilis, soups, and more! Homemade honey butter is the perfect topping.

September 13, 2017

Baked pumpkin oatmeal

Baked pumpkin oatmeal in a pan and on a serving plate.

A warm and inviting autumn breakfast - baked pumpkin oatmeal is delicious and easy, plus it makes your house smell like fall! My current obsession with baked oatmeal continues with this fall flavored version. Just last month I posted two baked oatmeal recipes - peanut butter and zucchini bread. We've been eating these a couple of times a week because all four of us love them. I knew a pumpkin version was in my future because pumpkin is amazing and also it's almost time for all things pumpkin also known as FALL! My favorite time of the year! We had a streak of cooler days, but now we are back to more summer-like weather, but cooler nights. Our big maple tree is starting to turn orange and red. We now have pumpkins and mums on our front stoop and I hung up a Halloween banner on the front door. So, I'm ready for fall-mode now! Let the apple picking, pumpkin spicing, blanket snuggling, leaf peeping, and everything else fall-fun related begin! First up, a tasty hearty breakfast.

Serving plate of baked pumpkin oatmeal.

September 7, 2017

Chocolate chip zucchini banana muffins

Chocolate chip zucchini banana muffin cut in half to show the inside.

Banana bread and zucchini bread collide in these ultra-moist muffins studded with mini chocolate chips.

August 30, 2017

Yellow squash and apple bread

Finished loaf of yellow squash and apple bread on a cutting board.

The summer to autumn transition can be made a little sweeter with a loaf of this lightly spiced quick bread made with yellow summer squash and apples. 

August 24, 2017

Balsamic chicken caprese pasta

Pan of finished Balsamic chicken caprese pasta.

A delicious summertime pasta dinner made with garden fresh tomatoes, fresh basil, mozzarella, and balsamic glazed chicken! This pasta dish can be enjoyed hot, warm, or cold straight out of the fridge. 

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It's a lovely dish for a late summer evening, especially if you are lucky enough to have garden fresh grape or cherry tomatoes and basil. Our basil plant is one of the few things doing really well in our garden this year and while we have been getting a few grape tomatoes, I still had to buy some of those for this dish. 

Hopefully next year's garden is more successful, though a lot of it has to do with the crazy weather we've been having here this summer, so who knows.

Balsamic chicken caprese pasta topped with fresh basil.

August 21, 2017

Baked zucchini bread oatmeal

Baking dish of baked zucchini oatmeal.

The flavors of zucchini bread baked into your morning oatmeal! I am on a bit of a baked oatmeal kick lately. It started with the peanut butter one that I posted on a couple of weeks ago and now we are onto zucchini. With fall coming, I see many more versions (pumpkin! sweet potato! apple!) making an appearance in our kitchen and in our bellies in the near future. This time of year, many people are trying to find ways to use up their zucchinis. We love zucchini bread, and I figured that it would make a delicious baked oatmeal as well. Also, as I've mentioned before, we are always looking for meals that our twins can easily feel themselves. This method makes it easier for them to get the oatmeal into their mouths all by themselves (because they aren't fans of being spoon fed anymore). This zucchini version was a hit with all of us! We like to serve ours scooped into a bowl with a little milk, or just cut into a square for the little ones.

Serving baked zucchini bread oatmeal.

August 14, 2017

Cheesy zucchini & turkey casserole

Cheesy zucchini and turkey casserole in a baking pan.

Zucchini season is upon us. In this dish, zucchini is used to make a cheesy base for the casserole topped with ground turkey, spaghetti sauce, vegetables, and more cheese. 

Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase an item from these links, a small percentage goes to support the work of this blog. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

You will see similar versions called a Zucchini Pizza Casserole, but to me there is nothing pizza-ish about this casserole. My version uses the same base idea, but the toppings are different. Maybe more like a spaghetti bake? I don't know. So I'm just calling this version a Cheesy Zucchini & Turkey Casserole. Naming dishes can be tricky sometimes. Too wordy? Not an adequate description? I don't know. 

I do know that this dish was a huge hit in our family and was even completely gobbled up by two one year olds, so that's a win for me! Whatever you call it, it's delicious! It's definitely a keeper and a way to use up some of your garden's zucchini. This recipe will serve about four to five people as a main dish. Serve with a loaf of crusty bread and/or a side salad to stretch it a bit more.

We are usually inundated with zucchini at this time of year, but the odd weather has left many in our area with gardens that aren't producing as well as they usually do. So, I actually *gasp* bought zucchini from a farm stand. It almost didn't feel right!

Scooping cheesy turkey and zucchini casserole.

August 7, 2017

Applesauce barley infant cereal mini muffins

Stack of baked applesauce barley infant cereal mini muffins.

Don't toss an opened container of baby food cereal - use it to make these mini muffins that are a soft and delicious toddler finger food. 

August 1, 2017

Baked peanut butter oatmeal

Baked peanut butter oatmeal in a serving bowl topped with blueberries.

Creamy peanut butter, oats, brown sugar, and a touch of cinnamon baking in the morning will make your whole house smell wonderful. Lately I've been on a quest for easy and nutritious breakfasts that my twins (and my husband and I) will eat. They love scrambled eggs with vegetables, pancakes, and cut up fruit, but they've recently become resistant to being fed from a spoon and don't have much interest in learning it for themselves yet. So oatmeal, cream of wheat, and other hot cereals they used to eat are becoming harder. They will still take yogurt though - they love yogurt! I decided to try out baked oatmeal with them so that they are still eating the oats, but can pick it up themselves. This peanut butter one is a hit with the whole family. The peanut butter flavor is perfect with the lightly sweetened oats. The twins ate theirs cut into a square with some halved blueberries and my husband and I ate it scooped into a bowl with blueberries and milk. We ate it cold cut into squares again the next day. It's slightly crumbly, but also very soft so it's great for toddlers. This recipe will serve about 4-6 people, depending on age and hunger level.

Baking dish of baked peanut butter oatmeal.

July 20, 2017

Menu planning for frugal living

Our grocery and menu board always hangs on the side of the refrigerator. It's not a pretty or fancy board or photo, it's real life here.

Last week I posted about how I am striving to be a frugal mama and I thought I'd expand a little bit on some of the topics in their own posts. First up is menu planning. Not the most exciting of topics, I get it. But, it's crucial to saving money when you are living on a budget and/or aspiring to not waste money. If you don't have a menu plan, likely you will end up eating out/ordering take-out more frequently, throwing away food more frequently, and going to the grocery store more than necessary. We have this ultra-fancy (haha) little white board that lives on the side of our fridge. When we are getting close to running out of a pantry or fridge staple, or think of something we would like, it goes on the grocery side. This way, we are rarely caught off-guard running out of something and I don't have to spend much time thinking or checking if we need items when I make the grocery list.

July 13, 2017

Lemon pudding cookies

Plate of baked lemon pudding cookies.

Lightly sweetened lemon cookies with a drizzle of very lemony glaze are a perfect cookie for summer picnics and potlucks.

June 29, 2017

Cowboy calico beans

Pot of Cowboy Calico Beans.

Four types of beans come together with ground beef and bacon in a sweet and tangy sauce for a crowd-pleasing summer cookout side dish.  

June 21, 2017

Skillet peaches & cream pork chops

Skillet peaches and cream pork chops.

Tender pork chops are cooked in a skillet with a sauce made with peaches and cream. Peaches and pork make a delicious combination of flavors.

June 7, 2017

Toddler pumpkin and banana egg pancakes

Stack of toddler pumpkin and banana egg pancakes.

These little pumpkin and banana egg pancakes are simple to make and perfect for a toddler finger food. They are soft for eating whole and can be cut into strips or into bites as well.   

May 31, 2017

Toddler turkey, carrot, and apple meatballs

Bowl of toddler turkey, carrot, and apple meatballs.

I can't believe my babies are already 10 months old! They are getting so big and learning so many new things all the time. They like being outside right now and going for walks in the stroller. We recently tried the baby swings at the park, which they really enjoyed. But, what they really love right now is food. They are interested in trying everything and want to grab and eat all that they see! They still like their homemade purées, especially with oatmeal or whole milk Greek yogurt. They prefer chunkier foods now though and are trying more finger and table foods all the time. I bought some frozen turkey meatballs and they really enjoyed those, so I decided to make a homemade version that is a little healthier for them. I still cut/break up these meatballs into smaller pieces for them at this point. They are picking up those pieces and feeding themselves.... a messy, but fun, time.

This recipe will make about 27ish meatballs. You can freeze them (place on a clean baking sheet in the freezer just until frozen and then place them all in a freezer bag) and then defrost in the refrigerator as needed. Heat them up in the oven or microwave, or even in an alfredo sauce. They can be eaten cold as well. The spices below are what I used, but you can use so many others like thyme, nutmeg, allspice, parsley, coriander, ginger, and others -- whatever flavors and combinations you want! They are also delicious for adults too - I've popped more than one in my mouth! 

Cup open turkey, carrot, and apple meatballs.

May 23, 2017

Rhubarb sour cream bread

  Loaf of sour cream rhubarb quick bread.

Sour rhubarb and tangy sour cream are combined in this quick bread that is lightly spiced with a bit of ground ginger for a delicious springtime or early summer snack! 

May 11, 2017

Beyond strawberry rhubarb pie: A rhubarb recipe round-up

Rhubarb stalks. 
 
Rhubarb season is here and there are so many ways to enjoy this tart seasonal vegetable. Strawberry rhubarb pie is the most popular, but there are so many other ways to use it.

May 3, 2017

Homemade baby food purées (advanced; part two)

Potato, broccoli, and cheddar mash in a bowl.
Golden potato, broccoli, & cheddar mash (Boil in water - 1 peeled and chopped golden/yellow potato and 1/3 cup frozen broccoli florets until soft. Drain. Mash with 1/3 cup grated white cheddar cheese and milk to your desired consistency). I don't like to puree potatoes as they tend to become gummy.
 
Ours twins are starting to move on to chunkier purées and some more finger foods now. They have entered the "Stage 3" baby food time. Now we are incorporating more textures.

April 25, 2017

Salt and vinegar potato wedges

Platter of salt and vinegar potato wedges.

If you like salt and vinegar potato chips, you'll enjoy these roasted potato wedges infused with salt and vinegar flavors.

April 7, 2017

Quick coffee cake (Blitzkuchen)

Top view of a finished quick coffee cake.A delicious quick coffee cake that is perfect for a brunch, afternoon coffee or tea, or anytime you want an easy but yummy cake.

April 3, 2017

Homemade baby food purées (advanced)

Homemade baby food in a food processor.
Blueberry, beet, & apple purée (1 cup of blueberries, 2 medium beets, 1 large sweet apple - Peel, chop and steam beets until softened, add a bit more water to the pan and add blueberries and apple. Cook until tender and then puree, using the steaming water as needed).

I wrote a previous post about making homemade baby food purées for our twins. They have tried a lot of fruits, vegetables, yogurt, cereals, and some meats. We started with single-ingredient purées to ensure that neither of them had a reaction to the food. 

Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase an item from these links, a small percentage goes to support the work of this blog. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

March 29, 2017

Triple chocolate chip chocolate cookies

Platter of baked triple chocolate chip chocolate cookies.

Three kinds of chocolate chips - milk, semi-sweet, and white chocolate - are all used in these extra chocolaty cookies. 

March 22, 2017

Maple pecan caramel popcorn

Bowl of maple pecan caramel corn.

Take caramel corn to the next level with maple and pecans. This maple pecan popcorn is a delicious snack that is perfect for maple season or anytime you want a sweet treat.

March 17, 2017

Traditional Irish soda bread

Baked loaf of traditional Irish Soda Bread.

Traditional Irish Bread is an easy homemade bread to make and perfect for serving along with a Saint Patrick's Day dinner of corned beef and cabbage. This is a basic white Irish soda bread recipe without any additions like raisins. It has a soft inside and a firm golden exterior.

March 15, 2017

Peanut butter & jelly thumbprint cookies

Peanut butter and jelly thumbprint cookies on parchment paper.

Peanut butter and jelly thumbprint cookies are a delicious dessert or snack for fans of peanut butter and jelly. 

March 9, 2017

Homemade baby food purées (basic)

Homemade baby food puree in freezer containers.
Blueberry applesauce.

Homemade baby food is a fun and pretty simple way to expose your baby or babies to all kinds of new foods, textures, colors, and smells.

Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase an item from these links, a small percentage goes to support the work of this blog. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

March 3, 2017

Apple butter oatmeal muffins

Plate of baked apple butter oatmeal muffins.

It's March! So what am I doing posting an apple recipe?!? Those are for fall, right? Well, for me, usually they are.... but this recipe is more of a "use it or lose it" recipe. I canned more apple butter than we can eat! I even gave a bunch away, but a few jars were still lingering on my basement shelf quickly approaching the time when they'd probably need to be tossed. I really hate food waste, especially after working so hard to make and can something, so apple butter muffins are here! These muffins are a twist on my applesauce oatmeal bread and they turned out delicious -- very moist and full of yummy spices. Plus, they are even better split open with more apple butter spread on top, so perhaps we will use up all that's left before these are gone. This recipe will make one dozen muffins and will fill your home with a wonderful aroma while they are baking.

Baked apple butter oatmeal muffins.

January 30, 2017

Peanut butter banana bread

Slice of peanut butter banana bread with peanut butter spread on top.

Peanut butter and bananas are a delicious combination and they are brought together in this loaf of banana bread. 

January 18, 2017

Slow cooker chicken enchilada soup


The frigid winter weather had settled upon us here in western New York, and then we have had a streak of 40 degrees days with rain. It's so weird to go outside in January and not have everything be a blanket of white. I'm not sure how I feel about it.... I don't think I like it though. One thing that I do like though --- SOUP! I think my readers know that I love soup. I also love slow cooker recipes. So I was really pumped to see slow cooker soup as January's Fantastical Food Fight theme! With infant twins in the house, our slow cooker is getting even more use than usual. It's so nice to be able to throw your food in it in the morning and then have your dinner finished, or almost finished when it's time to eat. This soup is delicious, hearty, and very flavorful. It's full of Mexican food flavors, which we really enjoy in our house. This recipe will serve about four people. A side of corn tortilla chips is highly encouraged!